I must have missed something, as I don't get why everyone is placing Pat's so high.
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I must have missed something, as I don't get why everyone is placing Pat's so high.
Or UCD so low.
Or arguably Cork so high, given how wojus they were once Maguire left. I think Pat's are so high because they finished the season strongly and seem to have built on that in pre-season in fairness.
Pat's have signed very well since last summer. The guts of a whole new team signed since last July really. I think they've the strongest squad now outside Cork and Dundalk, but it all depends on how well it all comes together for them. European qualification is a distinct possibility for them this season in my view.
UCD are a bit of an unknown quantity this year, and the division is fairly equal from 1st to 8th. They could finish 2nd as easily as they could finish 8th. First Division this year is all about who gets off to the strongest start and has momentum from day one, similar to what Cork done last year in the Premier.
We shouldn't be an unknown quantity as I think we've only lost two players in pre-season, which is quite good for us. One of those only played a few games last year.
I agree it looks a very tight division though.
How will the colllingwood cup etc effect UCD’s start to the season? Keeping Kelly is huge I see he’s banging them at the momentQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Same as it always does - we always play it. It's good pre-season practice, but we may have a weakened team out v Shels if there's a clash.
You've missed nothing, even @loitransfers have them 3rd in their prediction, this is madness to suggest both Rovers and Derry will miss out on 3rd at the expense of Pats. I have them as 5th and even that was the ultimate max and it took me a while to pick them ahead of Sligo / Waterford / Bohs.Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
Derry have lost McNamee tho, 10 goals last season. Great boost that Nicky Low is back on loan but still a huge loss. Pats look loaded in the attacking areas with good experience in midfield. Back 4 is a worry but when you look at how many games rovers lost last season and where they finished the gap between the likes of rovers, Derry and Pats is fairly minimal.Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
Must say even as a Pats fan I'm surprised people have predicted us to finish in the top 5. While we look stronger than the start of last season there is still a lot of young players with us. Although I do think the gap between the top 4 and the rest will close this season. Cork and Dundalk haven't improved in the off season and Derry have signed quite a few gambles and Gavin Peers who was poor for us last season.Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
Anyway predictions
Premier Division
1st Cork
2nd Dundalk
3rd Shams
4th Waterford
5th Derry
6th St Pats
7th Bohemians
8th Sligo
9th Limerick
10th Bray
First Division
1st Drogheda United
2nd Galway United
3rd UCD
4th Finn Harps
5th Longford
6th Shelbourne
7th Cobh Ramblers
8th Cabinteely
9th Wexford
10th Athlone
FAI Cup Dundalk
EA Sports Cup St Pats
Premier Division:
1. Louth Lillywhites franchise
2. Cork
3. Shams
4. Derry
5. Waterford
6. Pats
7. Bohs
8. Sligo
9. _______
10. Bray
First Division:
1. Athlone
2. Athlone
3. Athlone
4. Athlone
5. Athlone
6. Athlone
7. Athlone
8. Athlone
9. Athlone
10. Drogheda
FAI Cup: N/A (no winner declared and competition abandoned as Cork and Dundalk make final for 4th consecutive year)
League Cup: Cork City
Play-Off: FD team lose to PD team
First Manager Sacked: The foreman of Bray Coastal Properties Ltd.
Top Scorer Premier: Sean Maguire probably
Top Scorer First: The ghost of Jason Byrne
I think the high placing of Pats in so many predictions reflects the fact that after strengthening in the July transfer window they picked up points at a Top Three rate for the rest of the season - of the players that made the difference they have only lost Balk while picking up Madden, Toner, Ryan Brennan and others - and potentially the key player, Garvan, will now be much fitter than when he arrived. So it's not unreasonable to expect them to at least maintain their form of the last 14 or so matches. But that's the theory, We'll soon see how it is in practice. I don't expect another relegation struggle anyway.
We don't, there's still a good few doubts about our squad, Turner and Clarke are not up to much, Doona and Thomas Byrne are sort of unknowns so they can go either way.Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
At the back we look fine but it'll depend on how Toner settles in coming back from England, Bermo and Madden are class so no worries there.
I think Garvan will be brilliant this season but I'd still prefer a Bolger like player beside him, we might get overrun in the middle if it's himself and Brennan in there as they're not the quickest.
and then a lot depends on which Fagan shows up.
I reckon we'll be 4th or 5th, hopefully do enough to get into Europe
Premier Division
1st Dundalk
2nd Rovers
3rd Cork
4th Bohs
5th Derry
6th St Pats
7th Waterford
8th Sligo
9th Limerick
10th Bray
First Division
1st Drogheda United
2nd Finn Harps
3rd Cabinteely
4th Galway
5th Longford
6th Shelbourne
7th Cobh Ramblers
8th UCD
9th Wexford
10th Athlone
FAI Cup Bohs
EA Sports Cup Rovers
Premier Division
1st Dundalk Isotopes
2nd Rovers
3rd Cork
4th Derry
5th Sligo
6th St Pats
7th Wahafad
8th Bohs
9th Mid West Unmentionables
10th East Coast Redacteds
First Division
1st Drogheda United
2nd Galway
3rd Harps
4th UCD
5th Longford
6th Shelbourne
7th Cobh Ramblers
8th Cabo
9th Wexford
10th Athlone
FAI Cup Rovers
EA Sports Cup Derry[/QUOTE]
This is what I think as wellQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Cork were bang average last season post Maguire and I dont see them improving.
Regarding Dundalk, I just have a feeling things will unravel there a bit this season. Hence my prediction.
1. Dundalk Rowdies
2. Cork
3. The Shamrocks
4. The Pats
5. Sligs
6. Derry
7. Waterford
8. Bohs
9. ........ ..
10. Democratic People’s Republic of Wicklow FC
First
1. Shels
2. Harps
3. LTFC
4. Galway
5. UCD
6. Cobh
7. Drogs
8. Cabinteely
9. Wexford
10. Athlone
To be honest outside the top 2 in the Premier there won’t be an awful lot between them. The First is wide open for 7 teams as everyone is saying. Should be interesting, and at least the play offs are back.
We're adding Sadlier, McNamee and Cummins to the attack that struggled after Maguire left (Sadlier was here but didn't start a lot of games). I don't know where we'll finish, but if those players don't improve us I don't know what will!Quote:
Originally Posted by dong
It doesn't work like that in practise. Take a goal scorer out of a team and replace him with several good players isn't a winning combo.....look at Everton this year minus lukaku. That's not being critical of cork at the end of the day a guy as good as Maguire isn't going to co.e cheap or easy and not on a loi budget
We might get some clues to the respective strengths of Cork and Dundalk in the Presidents Cup meeting on Sunday
Will be interesting but home advantage and little traveling support will provide all the excuses needed .
If dundalk start strong cork might not be to bothered.
1. Cork City
2. Dundalk
3. Shamrock Rovers
4. Pats
5. Derry
6. Sligo
7. Bohs
8. Waterford
9. Bray
10. Limerickshire Blues
Cup - Dundalk
League Cup - Shams
First Division:
1. Longford
2. Galway
3. Harps
4. Drogheda
5. UCD
6. Shels
7. Cabo
8. Cobh
9. Wexford
10. Athlone
Harps have the midfield/forward line to win the league but our defense looks very light atm. Top 8 could go any way!
I was talking about the comments saying we won't be better than we were after Seani left.Quote:
Originally Posted by sbgawa
There's no replacement for Maguire, that's not happening again.
But Sadlier and McNamee had 10 each last year, Cummins should score that many too you'd hope, so our attack should be stronger than how poor it was after Seani left.
Obviously, it will depend if our front 4 click. If they do, I've no doubt we'll be pushing to win the league. But as you said, in practice you never know.
Our players will never not be bothered about losing to Dundalk. They haven't beaten us in 2 years. Losing that would hurt the lads, glorified friendly or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by sbgawa
Fair enough but I still don't think the result will tell us much. Roll on the league.
The respective performances will tell us more about the teams than anything else so far in preseason.Quote:
Originally Posted by sbgawa
It will not define anything (except who chats to Mickey D) but it is a match that both teams are eager to win.
That said, the following weeks league openers are way more important
1. Dundalk
2. Cork
3. Rovers
4. Derry
5. Pats
6. Sligo
7. Waterford
8. Bohs
9. Limerick
10. Bray
Top Scorer: Murray
First sacked: Mackey
First Division:
1. Galway
2. Finn Harps
3. Cobh
4. UCD
5. Shels
6. Longford
7. Drogs
8. Cabo
9. Wexford
10. Athlone
At half time today I was worried but that second half has given me more confidence. I'm sure it will still be close, and I think Rovers will be closer this year.
I think Pats and Derry will be fighting it out for the final European place, adrift from the top 3 but ahead of the rest.
Sligo, Bohs and Waterford are all flawed. I could have any of these in any of these spots. Theres potential for any of them to put a run together and close down Derry but equally a bad start could see them sucked into a relegation battle.
Bray and Limerick are a complete mess.
Premier Division
1. Cork City
2. Dundalk
3. Shamrock Rovers
4. St. Pats
5. Derry City
6. Sligo Rovers
7. Bohemian F.C.
8. Waterford
9. Bray Wanderers
10. Redacted FC
First Division
Honestly I haven't got a clue.
1. Finn Harps
2. Galway
3. Cobh
4. UCD
5. Longford
6. Drogheda
7. Cabinteely
8. Wexford
9. Shelbourne
10. Athlone
FAI Cup
Dundalk - Lets give them something
League Cup - Cork City - Lets complete the set
Top Goalscorer
Ronan Murray - two finishes today and probably the best goalscorer left in the league
POTY - If Sadlier is here all year hes a shoe in. Hes a gem. I can't wait to see him and Barry McNamee build up a partnership.
First sacked: Dave Macky.
Prem:
1 Cork
2 Dundalk
3 Derry
4 Shams
5 Pats
6 Bohs
7 Sligo
8 Lims
9 Bray
10 Waterford
1st Sacked Gerrard Lyttle
Top Scorer Ronan Murray
1st Div:
1 Harps
2 Galway
3 Drogs
4 Longford
5 Cobh
6 Cabin
7 Ucd
8 Shels
9 Wexford
10 Athlone
1st Sacked Shane Keegan
Top Scorer Danny Furlong
League Cup Derry
Fai Cup Dundalk
Strange choice for first sacking given your prediction for Galway being top 2 and Furlong top scorer. A poor start could definitely see him in trouble though.Quote:
Originally Posted by EnzoScifo10
Premier Division:
1. Dundalk
2. Cork City
3. St Patrick’s Athletic
4. Derry City
5. Shamrock Rovers
6. Bohemians
7. Waterford
8. Sligo Rovers
9. Bray Wanderers
10. Limerick
First Division:
1. Galway United
2. Finn Harps
3. Drogheda
4. Cobh Ramblers
5. Longford Town
6. Shelbourne
7. Cabinteely
8. UCD
9. Wexford
10. Athlone Town
FAI Cup: Dundalk
League Cup: Bohemians
Play-Off: Finn Harps
First Manager Sacked: Stephen Bradley
Top Scorer Premier: Ronan Murray
Top Scorer First: Michael O'Connor
Premier Division:
1. Dundalk
2. Cork
3. Derry
4. St Patrick’s Athletic
5. Bohemians
6. Shamrock Rovers
7. Waterford
8. Sligo Rovers
9. Bray Wanderers
10. Limerick
First Division:
1. Drogheda
2. Finn Harps
3. Galway
4. Cobh Ramblers
5. Longford Town
6. Shelbourne
7. Cabinteely
8. UCD
9. Athlone
10. Wexford
FAI Cup: Derry
League Cup: Cork
Play-Off: Finn Harps
First Manager Sacked: Tommy Barrett
Top Scorer Premier: Ronan Murray
Top Scorer First: Michael O'Connor
Premier Division:
1. Dundalk
2. Cork
3. St Patrick’s Athletic
4. Shamrock
5. Derry
6. Sligo
7. Bohs
8. Waterford
9. Limerick
10. Bray Wanderers
FAI Cup: Cork
League Cup: Cork
First Manager Sacked: Tommy Barrett
Top Scorer Premier: Ronan Murray
Premier Division:
1. Dundalk
2. Cork
3. Pats
4. Shamrock Rovers
5. Derry
6. Bohs
7. Waterford
8. Bray
9. Limerick
10. Sligo
First Division:
1. Harps
2. Drogheda
3. Longford
4. UCD
5. Galway Utd
6. Shelbourne
7. Cabinteely
8. Cobh
9. Wexford
10. Athlone
FAI Cup: Shamrock Rovers
League Cup: Dundalk
Play-Off: Drogheda
First Manager Sacked: Gerard Lyttle
Top Scorer Premier: Ronan Murray
Top Scorer First: Michael O'Connor
I'm amazed at the number opting for Ronan Murray as top scorer. He has looked sharp in preseason but is not yet guaranteed an automatic starting spot.
Premier Division:
1. ****ies
2. Dawk
3. Rovers
4. Pats
5. Bohs
6. HMS Londonderry
7. Blues
8. Sligo
9. Lims
10. DPRK
First Division:
1. G-G-Galway
2. Harps
3. Drogs
4. Students
5. Queenstown
6. the Banjo players
7. The Club formerly known as $hel$
8. Cabinteely Roight
9. Waxford
10. D'Athlone
Premier Division
1) Dundalk
2) Cork
3) Rovers
4) Derry
5) Pats
6) Waterford
7) Sligo
8) Bohs
9) Limerick
10) Bray
First Division
1) Harps
2) Drogs
3) Galway
4)Longford
5) Cobh
6) Cabo
7) UCD
8) Shels
9) Athlone
10) Wexford
FAI Cup - Dundalk
League Cup - Cork
Top Scorer PD - Sadlier
Top Scorer FD - Michael O'Connor
First Sacked PD - Barrett
First Sacked FD - Heary
There's a dearth of decent, proven strikers in the league right nowQuote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
Average predictions of the Foot.ie fraternity.
Premier:
1. (1.55) Dundalk
2. (1.84) Cork
3. (3.03) Shamrock Rovers
4. (4.45) St Pats
5. (4.58) Derry
6. (6.88) Waterford
7. (7.00) Sligo
8. (7.06) Bohemians
9. (9.09) Limerick
10. (9.55) Bray
First:
1. (2.07) Galway
2. (2.13) Harps
3. (3.31) Longford
4. (4.21) Drogheda
5. (5.24) Cobh
6. (5.90) Shels
7. (5.97) UCD
8. (6.55) Cabinteely
9. (8.97) Wexford
10. (9.86) Athlone
There aren't a lot of out and out goal scorers this year. Go through it team by team and you see how almost every club is looking for someone to get them 15-20. There will be a break through player most likely but its hard to pick one out right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
Cork City have Cummins who has struggled for goals in the 6 or 7 years hes been away, and a bunch of players who will hopefully be in the 10-14 range.
Dundalk have Murray who got 14 I think last year and people would expect him to do better in a better team along with Hoban who got20 in his last season but hasn't played much since leaving Dundalk.
Rovers have Shaw who got 10 or 12, and an unknown quantity in Carr.
Derry have R Patz who is a goal scorer but is getting on in years.
Bohs have Corcoran who you would expect to maybe get 14-16 in a good season.
Bray have McCabe and thats about it and people expect them to struggle in general.
Pats have Fagan who can get 20 but injuries and have been an issue.
Limerick are a mess in general.
Sligo have Morgan who is probably a good dark horse for it but you don't know how hes going to settle or how Sligo will do in general.
Waterford have Akinade who maybe, maybe could do it, but hes had injuries in the past and I don't think hes ever scored prolifically, though I could be wrong on that.
Hoban should start in the No 9 position once fit. His style fits with Stephen Kenny's preferred formation. Although Murray has played there in preseason, he appears to be more likely to play as a No 10 or second striker (which would be an unusual formation for SK). There is intense competition there and any player will have their work cut out to nail down a regular attacking spot
I obviously hope that Murray bangs in the goals, but at 6/1 is poor odds. Hoban is a better 6/1 shot
Dinny Corcoran is more likely to start every game for Bohs. Adam Morgan could be a wild card.